(YELLOW-BILLED TEAL.)
+Anas flavirostris+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 516 (Mendoza).
+Querquedula flavirostris+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 129;
_iid. P. Z. S._ 1868, p. 146 (Buenos Ayres), et 1876, p. 386;
_Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 191 (Buenos Ayres), et 1878, p. 401
(Patagonia); _White, P. Z. S._ 1883, p. 42 (Cordova); _Burm. P.
Z. S._ 1872, p. 367.
_Description._--Above pale slaty brown; whole head barred across
with narrow blackish bands; middle of back rufescent, with the
centres of the feathers black and narrowly margined with brownish
ochraceous; rump paler; a broad wing-speculum black, with a margin
of ochraceous above and below, and a bronzy-green blotch in the
centre; wing-feathers slaty, margins of secondaries on each side
pale rufous; abdomen whitish, breast and belly distinctly spotted
with black; bill yellow; culmen and tip black; feet horn-colour:
whole length 15·0 inches, wing 7·5, tail 7·5. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Argentina, Chili, and Patagonia.
In the southern part of the Argentine Republic this is one of the
commonest species, and is almost invariably found in every marsh,
stream, and pool of water on the pampas. It is resident, and usually
goes in flocks of from a dozen to thirty individuals. It has a rapid
flight, and is restless, lively, and extremely pugnacious in its habits.
When a flock is on the water the birds are perpetually quarrelling. They
are also highly inquisitive, and I have often shot them by first showing
myself to the flock, and then standing or sitting still, when they would
soon come wheeling about, flying in very close order. They quack and
chatter in a variety of tones, and the male has also a clear whistling
note in the love-season.
The nest of this Duck is always made at a distance from the water,
sometimes as far as one or two miles. It consists of a slight hollow in
the ground under a thistle-bush or tussock of long grass, and is lined
with dry grass and a great deal of down, which is increased in quantity
during incubation. The eggs are reddish cream-colour, and five is the
usual number laid; but I have also found nests with six and seven.